5 Signs It’s Time to Move to a More Rural Area

More people than ever before are moving to cities, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that cities are the best places to live. In many cases, people move not because they’re enchanted by the lure of the big city, but because that’s where the bulk of the jobs and other opportunities are based. For people that have a location independent job, or are entering their retiring years, the real estate landscape looks much different. Many people are deciding to leave the city before, and move to more rural areas.

If you’re beginning to think the same, take a look below, where we outline a few signs that it might be time to make the move.

The Air Is Getting Heavy

There’s a lot to love about living in the city, but there are some pretty obvious drawbacks. Because of the sheer number of people and the fact that we have a world that’s powered by vehicles, things can be a little noisy -- and that is putting it mildly. Perhaps of greater concern is the quality of the air. There’s a big difference between breathing deeply in rural areas and breathing deeply in the city. You’ll know straight away which is better for you!

You Want To Be Closer to Nature

We tend to think that we belong indoors, mostly because that is presented to us as normal. However, humans are animals, and we need to have a connection to the outdoors. Studies have shown that being surrounded by nature gives our mood a nudge in the right direction. But it’s difficult/impossible to find these natural spaces when you’re living in a concrete jungle. If you’re ready to move to a greener, more beautiful corner of the world, take a look at the listings from REMAX at the Lake. It’s usually only once you’re living in a natural area that you realize what you’ve been missing.

You Miss the Community Aspect

There’s a lot of people in cities, so you’d think there would be a strong sense of connection and human interaction. Alas, this isn’t always the case. While there are some city neighborhoods that have a stronger sense of community than others, overall you could say that cities aren’t places for getting to know the neighbors. That’s all different in rural areas, where you naturally get to know other people who live there.

Slower Pace of Life

We assimilate to our surroundings. Cities are fast-paced and chaotic, and it’s normal for people to become a little manic and fried after a while. If you’re looking to switch things up, then the slower pace of life that you’ll find in rural areas might be just what you’re looking for.

Children’s Playtime 

Finally, if you have kids, you might want them to grow up in a place where they can be free to explore and enjoy the outdoors, away from the many threats of the city. Spending time in the outdoors is fun for everyone, but children in particular get a kick out of it. 

The Big Move: What You Need To Know Before Moving

Moving is definitely one of the most impactful and biggest life decisions that you will ever make. Sometimes, moving cannot be avoided. Regardless of the reason that would push you to make this decision-whether good or bad-it would be a great chance for you to have a fresh start.

In the Philippines, the concept of permanently moving is not often discussed; Filipinos love the concept of familiarity. But if you're one of those brave souls who wish to explore beyond the familiar, then here are a few questions that you need to consider before making such a big decision.

Where Will You Move and How Different Is the Environment?

People tend to move to the city since almost every major job opportunity is offered there, and commuting there from home is definitely a hassle. But over the years, people have seen the growth of provinces economically especially in the South, so a lot of people also consider moving there.

For example, there are a lot of affordable homes in Cavite that you can look at if you want to remove yourself from the bustling city and live in a much calmer environment. This time, a real shot at starting on a clean slate.

Do You Know Anyone Living in That Area?

This may seem like a complete contradiction to the idea of "having a fresh start", but it is still a factor. This is just to make sure you have a general idea of what it's like to live there and have someone guide you as to what to expect so that everything wouldn't come as a surprise to you. People often overlook this element of relocating, which sometimes results in culture shock, discomfort, and ultimately, regret.

What Are Some Career Opportunities Waiting for You There?

When you choose to permanently move, this is definitely one of the most important things to consider. Some people in rural areas choose to live in the metro since a lot of work is located in "Imperial Manila". Don't make the same mistake.

There are more jobs in an urban area, sure, but there would be more people moving there as well, which means more competition. So you would really need to consider if there is a particular job that you're after when moving to a different place.

Is The Cost of Living in the Area High?

There are definitely some parts of the country where most of the rich live, and therefore that's where the higher-priced goods are located. In the city, there are also more establishments compared to rural areas, such as bars and malls, which is good since you'd have more options and choices when you need to buy something. Or it might make it more difficult to stay away from the temptation to spend money.

Make sure that the job opportunity that you have would be enough to afford the cost of living in the place you wish to move into.

People will have different reasons for moving to a different place. Whatever the situation is, though, it is always important to be prepared for any type of struggle to avoid regret!

Good Habits, Not Intentions, Are The Key To Wellness

While the modern world is much better at promoting human health than any other society in human history, it still poses plenty of problems for those who want to achieve genuine and lasting wellness. 

The biggest issue is diet. We currently consume more meat, sugar, oil, salt, and refined flours than at any other time in history. And while we can get away with eating these foods while we’re young, they inevitably come back to bite us as we get older. 

The second most important issue for most people is their mental health and state of mind. We’re currently living through an anxiety and stress epidemic. People are getting burned out at work like never before and struggling to keep their lives on the straight and narrow. 

For this reason, we all need to push back against the trappings of the modern world. Furthermore, we need to do it with good habits, not intentions. That’s the only way we’re going to win. 

But what do good wellness habits look like? How do you know if you’re on the right track? Take a look at the following. 

You Prioritize A Regular Sleep Schedule

The bedrock (no pun intended) of any healthy living plan is adequate sleep. If you can’t get enough shut-eye, then you’re in a much weaker position during the day to make healthy choices.

Researchers believe that the most effective strategy is to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This habit trains your body to EXPECT sleep, making it easier for you to get into a sleep pattern. The more you can sleep, the lower your stress levels will be. 

You Find Ways To Minimize Your Bad Habits

When it comes to health, all of us have bad habits. For some of us, it is a propensity to sedentary living, never going for exercise. For others, it is things like social smoking or not using a rechargeable vaporizer.

The trick here is to find ways to minimize your negative habits until they eventually disappear from your life. One good idea is to have a rule that whenever you go grocery shopping, you only buy fresh products from the edge of the store. You don’t go down the central aisles and buy ultra-processed foods. 

Another trick is to prepare meals in advance. You’re much less likely to order take-out if you already have a meal sitting in your refrigerator, ready to be eaten. 

You Fall In Love With Your Habits

Habits shouldn’t be something you have to force. If they are, then they’re not really habits. 

Where possible, try to fall in love with your wellness habits. For instance, instead of seeing going to the gym as a chore, see it as an opportunity to relax or spend time somewhere new. Try to create positive associations with all your healthy behaviors, as this will make it more likely that you’ll continue doing them. Don’t be one of those people who have good intentions but never manages to make a difference in their lives. 

Cash4You: Our full lender review

With over 100 branches throughout Canada, you have likely stumbled across Cash4You on more than one occasion. If you’re wondering whether they’re great for people who need loans quickly but don't have the greatest credit score in the world, then read this Cash4You review until the end!

Cash4You Services

While Cash4You had tons of different money-related services in the past (at one point they did credit cards), they have really whittled things down in recent years. Nowadays, it is all about providing instant cash through installment loans and payday loans. They also have a cheque cashing service if you’re in a bind and need money quickly.

Cash 4 You focuses on folks who find getting money from elsewhere difficult. As any Cash4you review will tell you, this is a company that doesn't particularly care who they lend money to. They just care that you can pay it back.

Loan Product Review

Cash4you has two different loan products available:

• Installment loans (loans from $1000 to $15,000)

• Payday loans (loans from $120 to $1500)

For both types of loans, you will need to be over the age of 18 and have access to a Canadian bank account. The money will be automatically withdrawn from your account on the selected repayment date. You can also opt to repay your loans in cash in-store on an agreed date. But having it come out of your bank account will make life a whole lot easier in most cases, particularly in the case of payday loans.

If you have a really bad credit score, then the payday loan is going to be your only option. As long as you’re earning at least $250 per month, then you will be able to apply for a payday loan through Cash for You. There will be small checks that have an impact on how much you can borrow with your first loan. It is unlikely you will be able to get your hands on the full $1,500 on your first time, but if you demonstrate the ability to pay back on time, Cash4you will be a lot more laid back when you apply for a loan in the future.

Do bear in mind that a payday loan will have a higher than average interest rate due to the amount of risk that Cash For You is taking on when they are lending to somebody with poor credit. Expect to pay about $15 per $100 you borrow, although the amount you pay back will all be determined by how long the loan runs for. This is about average for a payday loan.

You must also remember that Cash4you does have higher expenses than competing payday loan companies. They have fully-staffed branches all over Canada, after all. Despite this, their loans are still pretty affordable (for a payday loan)

If your credit score is low but not too awful, then an installment loan from Cash4You may be ideal. You can pay back this loan anywhere from 12 months to 60 months. While it’s not the cheapest loan in the world (the interest rate is 49.93% average), it’s probably one of the better long-term loans for people with bad credit.

Cash 4 you has a high approval rate on their installment loan product, although the application process is longer compared to the one required for the payday loan. That being said, it’s still relatively simple and the decision is often made within a few minutes, which is a lot faster than what a traditional bank can offer.

No matter what type of loan you opt for, you can collect your cash from your local Cash4You branch. However, if you want things to be a little bit easier, you can have your loan amount deposited into your bank account within 60 minutes. 

Pros & Cons

You can't possibly write personal loan reviews without talking a little bit about the pros and cons of a service. After all, even reputable companies like Cash4You can have imperfections. 

Pros

The ability to collect your cash in person is fantastic. There are not many lenders that will do this. Of course, the fact that Cash4You has staffed branches adds a little bit to the cost of the loan. However, we don't think this is much of an issue. The extra bit of interest is negligible, and at least you know that you are dealing with a reputable company.

We love the fact that they have different loan options to choose from. In our experience, nearly everybody will qualify for one of the loans. The installment loan will likely approve you even if you have been rejected by countless lenders before. A lot of people use Cash4You as a last resort, and it almost always results in approval.

Cash4You, not unlike other lenders, isn't really in the habit of lending you something you can't afford. They have added extra steps to their application process to ensure that whatever you borrow is reasonably within the range that you can pay back. This means that come repayment date, you probably won't be fretting too hard about making the payments.

Cons

The main issue here is that some people see Cash4You as a little bit predatory. They love marketing, and if you have received a loan from them in the past and paid it back, expect that they will regularly try to persuade you to take out another loan. It can be dangerous because many people who take out high-interest loans like this are more likely to have money issues.

Some people who have reviewed Cash 4 You at the BBB have claimed that they were pre-approved for a loan, only for Cash4You to go back on their promise. While these cases are probably in the minority (and there’s always a possibility that the customer isn't giving you the full story), you probably shouldn't be spending that cash before it has landed in your account.

If you take out an installment loan and pay it back early, you won't save any cash. You still need to pay the agreed-upon interest. This is another con that we find discouraging.

Conclusion

If you are in a bind and need cash quickly, then Cash 4 You is a great option. With branches all over Canada, you will always have a good point of contact if you have trouble with your loan.

Yes, they have high interest rates, but if you really do need the money and everyone else is turning you down, then Cash 4 You is your best option. Plus, the installment loans certainly will come in useful for those who want to boost their credit score.

'The Beach Is Back! Turning Your Home Into A Vacation Rental'

Whether you are a first-time buyer or you are on the lookout to increase your financial portfolio a vacation rental is something that can definitely help you earn some money on the side. After all, a house by the beach overlooking the waves pretty much sells itself! But what can you do to make sure that the home you've purchased that's by the sea actually becomes a vacation rental that people want to come to? And what are the things that you need to do to make sure that your home is up to code?

Work With The Right Real Estate Agency

It might sound obvious but you've got to work with the right people that know what they are doing. There are certain real estate companies like Carolina One Real Estate that work with people specifically in relation to vacation rentals. As soon as you find the right real estate agency you can start to build a proper relationship. A lot of people can feel very reticent to establish a good working relationship with a real estate agency but when it comes to selling up, as well as the buying process, you need the right people on your side.

Providing Adequate Security

It's a way to earn extra money which means that you need to protect it to the best of your ability. And if it's a vacation home that you don't see much or it's far away you need to have some peace of mind. Investing in a home security system is one thing but you've also got to remember that it's about having some common sense. You are far away so there's not much you can do if it suffers a break-in. It's worth finding some trusted people that can help you out in a tricky situation.

Cleaning The Property

You have got to think of yourself as a landlord and when you are renting your home out to other people providing a base level of cleanliness is going to give a good impression so it will generate positive word-of-mouth. The most annoying aspect of cleaning a property is taking the time but you can do it relatively quickly just as long as you keep the space sparse. 

Remove Personal Items

Remember that you have to keep this property as secure as possible. It may be a second home but when you are renting it out to other people you've got to make sure that you protect your assets. Personal items lying around are like red rags to a bull. Get rid of them and you will have peace of mind. If there are personal items that you want to keep there, invest in a small safe.

Turning your home into a vacation rental is the perfect way to get extra money and make the most of additional luxury properties. But while it can seem a great way to make extra money there are a few hurdles you have to jump in order to make it habitable. Working with a real estate agency can help, but also remember that if you ever want to turn that property into your retirement home you've got to be prepared to invest a little bit more into it. 

Build Yourself a Profitable Property Portfolio

Investing in property is still one of the most popular ways to safeguard your financial future. Often seen as more reliable than stocks and shares, building a property portfolio can help you to grow your funds with reduced risk. 

Of course, any type of investment needs careful consideration. If you’re a first-time property investor, you’ll want to do your research and understand the market before you jump in. Before you start, take a look at these top tips for investing in property….

Identify your goals

Property can generate short-term income and long-term gains, or both! Before you start viewing properties, however, it’s important to consider what type of investment you want to make. Buying a property, fixing it up and selling it can generate a lump-sum in a relatively short period of time, but you’ll need to finance renovating the property. Alternatively, buying a rental property could generate both short and long-term income, providing it’s occupied. 

Deciding what type of portfolio you want to cultivate will help you to narrow down your options when it comes to buying a property. Furthermore, once you know what your objectives are, you will be able to calculate your potential budgets and profits with more accuracy. 

Set a budget

Knowing how much you’ve got to invest is crucial, regardless of what investment you’re going to make. When setting an investment budget, it’s important to be realistic. Although property can be easy to sell in a good market, this isn’t always the case. Determining how much you can afford to invest over a set period of time and plan for all eventualities. By having a contingency plan in place, you can manage your finances appropriately and give yourself peace of mind. 

Property markets are often cyclical, so a dip in property values will normally be rectified, providing you can wait for the market to recover.

Get to know your realtor

As a property investor, you’re going to be spending a lot of time communicating with your realtor. Choosing a reputable real estate agent who caters to investors, such as Holowesko Realty, will ensure you get the service and support you need. Great investment opportunities are much easier to come by if you have a good working relationship with your real estate agent. 

What’s more – the right realtor will take a pro-active approach to meeting your investment criteria. By building a good professional network, you can ensure that you are the first to hear about potential investment opportunities. 

Preserve your own wealth

People rarely invest their own money, even if they can afford to do so! Instead, they rely on loans, mortgages and other investors to finance their investors. Before you consider putting your savings into property, explore all available financing options and see which suits you the best. 

Understanding Property Investment

Investing in property sounds like an easy way to make money but this isn’t necessarily the case. Successful property investments require knowledge of the market, the local area, and the industry. By researching the sector and your understanding of how investment works, you can give yourself the knowledge base and the confidence you need to build your portfolio.